September 27, 2018

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MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Butler, Pennsylvania
September 27, 2018

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Mayor Smith and Council members Walter, Smith and Roche were present. Councilman Bonus joined the meeting via telephone. The pledge of allegiance to the flag followed an invocation given by Pastor Steve Ogle, Community Life Church.

The following action took place at the City’s Forum Meeting held on September 25, 2018:

  1. A Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 1769 amending Chapter 260, the zoning ordinance of the City of Butler to establish the Ritts Historic and Architectural District was held at the Forum Meeting on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at 6:30 PM. Several of the residents in the area voiced their concerns to council about the proposed zoning changes. Ferrari Court Reporting recorded the public hearing.
  2. City Council, acting as the Board of Health, and under the provisions of the Third Class City Code, Section XXIII, (b) Abatement of Public Nuisances, Section 2321, found the following subject structure detrimental to public health and ordered its removal by demolition:  119 Third Avenue  Motion by Mayor Smith. Second by CM Walter.  All voted aye.

PERSONS TO BE HEARD:

Mark Krenitsky voiced concerns about a “historic” area, reassessments, selling houses in the city and rental properties.

Tom Donaldson asked about the position of the police chief, vehicles for the police department, police foot patrols, retirement of police chief and deputy chief. He spoke about the trucks purchased from the township, events revenue for the city and debt from an infrastructure loan.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Walter to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 23, 2018 and the special meeting of September 8, 2018. All voted aye.

The Civil Service Commission, represented by Dr. Henry Sinopoli, adopted revisions to the Police Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Motion by Mayor Smith with a second from CM Roche to acknowledge receipt of the monthly minutes from RACB, including the CDBG/HOME Program activities. All voted aye.

MONTHLY BOARDS AND AUTHORITIES LIAISON REPORTS

Liaisons gave brief reports from boards and authorities that met in August.

Shade Tree:   CM Smith stated that he had spent the past 9 months identifying a number of concerns with the operation of the Shade Tree Commission.   Those issues included:

  • Lack of records concerning bench donations.
  • The “missing book” of commemorative donations. Apparently there never was one despite being advertised in their flyers.
  • No plan or policies for replacing dead trees and the failure to address dead or damaged trees (West Cunningham Street is a good example)
  • Failure to follow up on violations of the City’s Shade Tree ordinance
  • Possibly creating a financial liability for the City
  • Possible Sunshine Law violations by some members

CM Smith further stated that he had hoped these problems would have been addressed but unfortunately, a few of the Commission members seemed to be attempting to divert attention from these issues by citing personality conflicts.

Upon CM Smith’s request and the Mayor’s support, CM Bonus will undertake the role of liaison with the Shade Tree Commission to lead the effort to focus on these issues and will regularly report back to Council on their progress.

Councilman Smith made a motion to appoint Councilman Bonus as liaison to the City Shade Tree Commission. Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

MONTHLY DEPARTMENT REPORTS

(Note: Department Reports Distributed to Council at Tuesday’s Forum Meeting for Review)

Department reports for the month of August were approved by individual, unanimous votes.

COUNCIL REPORTS/ACTIONS

Councilman Walter

  1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1768, an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Part Two, Chapter 57 (Police Pension Plan) of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler to incorporate plan changes resulting from collective bargaining negotiations during fiscal year 2018. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  2. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1767; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 69; Purchasing; Article II; Rules and Regulations; §69-15.; Surplus supplies, material and equipment, of the codified ordinances of the City of Butler. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to approve distribution of 2018 State Aid for pension plans as follows: to the Firefighters Pension Plan – $190,031.81, to the Police Pension Plan – $199,639.08 and to the Officers’ & Employees’ Pension Plan – $50,661.63, with the total amount of 2018 State Aid distributed to pension plans being $440,332.52. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  4. Motion to approve the transfer of Marlys Frederick to the position of Finance Clerk in the Office of the City Clerk. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  5. Motion to direct the city clerk to advertise for the hiring of one parking violation monitor. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  6. Motion to ratify a collective bargaining agreement between the City and Local 757/Council 84 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.

Councilman Smith

  1. Motion to approve eliminating an email from the City’s email account used by the Shade Tree Commission. Second by CM Roche. All voted aye.

Councilman Bonus

  1. Motion to remove “No Parking/Bus Loading” on the south side of East Cunningham Street from S. Main Street to S. Cedar Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to install “No Parking/Bus Loading” on the north side of West New Castle Street from N. Washington Street to N. Jackson Street on a 90-day trial basis. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to remove the 30-minute limited parking zone from two spaces on the north side of 120 West New Castle Street in front of Catholic Charities on a 90-day trial basis.  Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  4. Motion to install a “30 Minute Limited Parking” sign at the first parking space east of N. Washington Street on the south side of West New Castle Street. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  5. Motion to direct the City Clerk to seek proposals for limestone and asphalt for Fiscal Year 2019 with such proposals due not later than 2:00 PM on November 12th. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  6. Motion to accept the quote from Tri Star Motors for the purchase of a 2019 Ford F550 in the amount of $46,920.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #025-245). LIN 01 430 270. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  7. Motion to accept the quote from Imperial Truck Body & Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of a stainless steel imperial dump body in the amount of $14,375.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #014-7110). LIN 01 430 270. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  8. Motion to accept the quote from Stephenson Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of a Swenson Spreader in the amount of $4,300.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #025-021). LIN 01 430 270. Second by Mayor Smith. All voted aye.
  9. Motion to accept the quote from Stephenson Equipment, Inc. for the purchase of hydraulics in the amount of $8,150.00 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #025-021). LIN 01 430 270. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  10. Motion to accept the quote from Alamo Group VA, Inc. for the purchase of an ODB Model LCT650 leaf collector in the amount of $38,528.20 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #4400016748). LIN 01 430 270. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  11. Motion to accept the quote from Alamo Group VA, Inc. for the purchase of two (2) ODB Collector Boxes in the amount of $9,589.30 for use by the streets department. (Costars contract #4400016748). LIN 01 430 270. Second by Mayor Smith.  All voted aye.

Councilman Roche

  1. Motion to approve Pennsylvania Heart & Lung Act benefits for Firefighter Jeffrey L. Scott beginning on September 10, 2018 for a work-related injury he sustained on August 3, 2018. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  2. Motion to hire John Sly Grant Writing Services in the amount of $2,500.00 to apply for the 2018 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) for the procurement of Rescue Equipment to be used in the department. The City share is 5% of the costs. Second by CM Smith. All voted aye.

Mayor Smith

  1. Motion for the second reading and adoption of City Ordinance No. 1769; an ordinance of the City of Butler amending Chapter 260, the zoning ordinance, to establish the Ritts Historic and Architectural District. Second by CM Smith. CM Walter voted no.  CM Smith, CM Bonus, CM Roche and Mayor Smith voted aye.
  2. Motion to approve the retirement of Lieutenant John Johnson from the Butler City Police Department following over 19 years of service, effective September 29, 2018. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  3. Motion to approve the promotion of Sergeant Benjamin Spangler to the rank of Lieutenant in the Butler Bureau of Police effective September 30, 2018. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  4. Motion to approve the conditional hiring of Benjamin P. Rogers for patrol officer to fill a vacancy in the Butler City Police Department created by the retirement of Lieutenant John Johnson. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  5. Motion to approve City Resolution No. 2018-9-27; a resolution authorizing the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler to file an application for HOME funds for affordable housing activities on behalf of the City with the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.
  6. Motion to ratify a revision to the City’s Civil Service Rules and Regulations governing the promotions of police officers as adopted by the Civil Service Commission. Second by CM Walter. All voted aye.

Appointments:

Pamela Taylor has been appointed to the Shade Tree Commission for a term of 3 years which will expire June 30, 2020. (She is filling a term that expired June 30, 2017.)

Jon Lex and Joseph Paulisick, Sr. resigned from the Shade Tree Commission effective immediately.

The City Treasurer presented a Monthly Intake Report for August, 2018.

The City Controller presented bills for payment as follows: from the general fund – $808,574.23; from the parking fund – $40,763.61; from the capital projects fund – $11,457.75; and from the liquid fuels tax fund – $27,516.77; for a grand total of $888,312.36. Motion by Mayor Smith with second from CM Walter to approve payment of bills as presented. All voted aye.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

WISR City Hall –   Mayor Smith and Councilman Smith.

First Responder Light Up Night – Saturday, September 29th.

Trick or Treat, October 31st from 6:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Leaf Dump will be open October 13 through the first week of December.

Mayor Smith adjourned the meeting at 7:49 PM.

 

 

 

 

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